Gilded Cage Cheese Breadsticks Recipe

Introduction

Gilded Cage Breadsticks Cheese is a stunning and flavorful appetizer that combines crispy breadsticks with a rich variety of cheeses and sweet accompaniments. This elegant dish is perfect for entertaining and impressive enough to be the centerpiece of any cheese board.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp instant dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 2/3 cup lukewarm water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 egg yolk (for glaze)
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
• 3.5 oz triple-cream Brie, cut into cubes
• 3.5 oz aged Comté, cut into cubes
• 2.8 oz truffled goat cheese, shaped into small balls
• 2.8 oz blue cheese (e.g., Roquefort), crumbled
• 1.8 oz Parmigiano Reggiano, shaved
• 1 small bunch seedless red grapes
• 2 tbsp honey or fig jam
• Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary), for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add lukewarm water and olive oil, then mix until a dough forms.
2. Step 2: Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
5. Step 5: Divide the dough into 18–20 small portions. Roll each portion into a thin stick about 1/8 inch thick and 10 inches long.
6. Step 6: Place the breadsticks on the tray. Brush them lightly with egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
7. Step 7: Bake the breadsticks for 15–18 minutes, turning once, until they are golden and crisp. Allow them to cool completely before assembling.
8. Step 8: On a serving platter, mound the assorted cheeses in the center. Surround with grapes, drizzle with honey or fig jam, and scatter fresh herbs for garnish.
9. Step 9: Carefully build the breadsticks into a dome over the cheese mound. Use the cheeses and breadsticks to support the structure. For extra stability, gently press breadsticks into the cheese or assemble around a small bowl, then remove it.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of your favorite cheeses to customize the flavor profile. Adding smoked or herbed cheeses can add extra depth.
• Swap sesame seeds for poppy or nigella seeds for a different look and taste.
• For a vegan version, replace the egg yolk glaze with a brush of olive oil and choose plant-based cheeses.
• Make the dome more stable by chilling the cheese before assembly.

Storage

Store any leftover breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain crispness. Keep cheeses refrigerated and consume within 3-5 days. Reheat breadsticks briefly in the oven if needed to refresh their texture. Assemble the dome fresh before serving for the best presentation.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the breadsticks dough in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it after the first rise. Bring it back to room temperature before shaping and baking.

What cheeses work best for this dome?

Soft, creamy cheeses like Brie and truffled goat cheese balance well with aged and crumbly ones like Comté, blue cheese, and Parmigiano Reggiano, providing a range of textures and flavors.

Gilded Cage Cheese Breadsticks Recipe

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4.5 from 67 reviews

Gilded Cage Breadsticks Cheese is a luxurious and visually stunning appetizer featuring crispy homemade breadsticks baked to golden perfection and assembled into an elegant dome structure over a rich assortment of creamy, aged, and truffled cheeses, accompanied by sweet grapes, honey or fig jam, and fresh herbs. This recipe combines delicate textures and complex flavors perfect for special occasions or entertaining.

• Author: Natalie
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: Serves 6 to 8 as an appetizer 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp instant dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 2/3 cup lukewarm water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 egg yolk (for glaze)
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Cheese and Accompaniments

• 3.5 oz triple-cream Brie, cut into cubes
• 3.5 oz aged Comté, cut into cubes
• 2.8 oz truffled goat cheese, shaped into small balls
• 2.8 oz blue cheese (e.g., Roquefort), crumbled
• 1.8 oz Parmigiano Reggiano, shaved
• 1 small bunch seedless red grapes
• 2 tbsp honey or fig jam
• Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary), for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant dry yeast, sugar, and fine sea salt. Add lukewarm water and olive oil. Mix the ingredients until a dough forms, then knead for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
2. First rise: Cover the dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until it doubles in size.
3. Preheat oven and prepare tray: Preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
4. Shape breadsticks: Divide the risen dough into 18 to 20 small portions. Roll each portion into a thin stick roughly 1/8 inch thick and about 10 inches long, ensuring even thickness for uniform baking.
5. Glaze and garnish: Arrange the breadsticks on the prepared baking tray. Lightly brush each breadstick with egg yolk for a shiny golden finish. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if desired for added texture and flavor.
6. Bake breadsticks: Bake the breadsticks in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, turning them once halfway through for even coloration. They should be golden and crisp when done. Allow them to cool completely before assembly.
7. Arrange cheese and accompaniments: On a large serving platter, create a mound of the assorted cheeses (triple-cream Brie, aged Comté, truffled goat cheese balls, blue cheese crumbles, and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano) at the center. Add seedless red grapes and drizzle with honey or fig jam. Garnish with fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs.
8. Assemble dome: Carefully construct a dome by arranging the cooled breadsticks upright over and around the cheese mound. Use the cheeses and breadsticks themselves as support. For extra stability, gently press some breadsticks into the cheeses or build the dome over a small bowl and remove it once the structure holds.

Notes

• Ensure the water is lukewarm (around 100°F or 38°C) to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
• Do not over-knead the dough beyond smooth and elastic to keep breadsticks tender.
• Use a sharp knife to cube cheeses uniformly for easy stacking and visual appeal.
• If sesame seeds are not preferred, substitute with poppy seeds or omit entirely.
• The dome assembly is delicate; assemble just before serving to maintain crispness of breadsticks.
• Honey can be substituted with fig jam or any other fruit jam for a different flavor profile.
• Store leftover breadsticks and cheese separately to preserve texture and freshness.

Keywords: breadsticks, cheese dome, appetizer, baked breadsticks, truffled goat cheese, Brie, Comté, Parmigiano Reggiano, blue cheese, grapes, honey, party food